Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Prisoners allege brutal assault by jail warders

Staff Reporter

"We were roughed up with batons, iron pipes and rods"

MADURAI: In his report, submitted before the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, the Principal District and Sessions Judge, S. Palanivelu, here, said that all the inmates of Madurai Central Prison unanimously alleged that the jail warders, on June 9, assaulted them.

Admitting a public interest litigation moved by a social activist seeking compensation for the injured prisoners, the Bench on July 27 directed the PDJ to conduct a personal enquiry on the alleged incident and file a report.

Submitting the statements of 12 injured prisoners, nine jail warders, a deputy jailor and a doctor attached to the central prison hospital, Mr. Palanivelu said, "According to the injured, following an altercation between a prisoner and a jail warder, a group of warders, both in uniform as well as in civilian clothes, roughed them up with batons, iron pipes and rods. While some of them were treated in the prison hospital, others were referred to Government Rajaji Hospital."

Regular visit revealing

The PDJ also said that on his regular visit to the prison on June 11 (even before the directions of the court came), he found five of the inmates being treated at the prison hospital. On enquiry, the injured alleged that the prison authorities assaulted them. "On the same day, I intimated the fact to the Additional Director General of Prisons, the Inspector General of Prisons and the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Madurai Range."

A report was also sent to the Registrar General of the High Court on June 13.

The Madras High Court on September 16, 2003, had issued a circular to all Principal District and Sessions Judges in the State to visit the central prisons/sub-jails in their respective jurisdiction periodically on second Saturday and last Saturday of every month. The visit was made compulsory to ensure standards of health, hygiene, institutional treatment and discipline in prison.

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